Why Do Your Feet Hurt In The Morning?

After you’ve been asleep or laid down for several hours at a time, the muscles in the feet naturally tighten. This tightening can make it very painful to walk, and it may mean that you suffer foot pain before you even get out of bed in the morning. This kind of pain could be caused by over-use of the foot in the days prior to the pain, an injury sustained during running or exercise, or by conditions such as plantar fasciitis or arthritis.

There are methods to alleviate the pain, especially morning foot stretches or, if your pain is especially unbearable, the wearing of splints overnight. If the pain persists, even after trying home remedies and natural cures, you should consult your doctor. They may be able to identify the specific cause of the problem, which will enable you to find the best possible solution to the pain.

Causes Of Morning Foot Pain

If your pain is caused by injury, you should consult a doctor. They will be able to tell you whether you should be resting the injury or stretching and exercising. With most fractures, there will be a period of rest, followed by a period of rehabilitating stretches. Your physician will also be able to determine the extent of your injuries, and they will be able to offer advice on how to avoid similar injuries in the future.

Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is a thickening of the plantar fascia, which is a band of tissue on the bottom of the foot. It is typically caused by an over-use of the foot, so is more common in the feet of runners and those that spend a majority of their day on their feet. Overuse may also be more prominent in those that are overweight. One of the primary symptoms of plantar fasciitis is foot pain that is worse in the morning.

Arthritis – There are dozens of different types of arthritis, and they all have different symptoms, causes, and cures. It is common for arthritis sufferers to suffer pain throughout the day, or following exercise, but because the blood pools and does not flow as freely when laid down, it can be worse in the morning.

Tendinitis – Tends are strong tissue that connect muscle to bone. They help the bones move when muscles contract. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons, and it can be extremely painful. The inflammation can be worse in the morning, again because the blood has not been flowing freely over the course of the night.

Morning Stretches

Morning stretches can help to naturally get the blood flowing back around the body, reducing inflammation and pain in the process. It is possible to perform some stretches, such as towel stretches, before you get out of bed. Sit up, hold either end of a towel in each hand, and place the center of the towel around the bottom of the feet just behind the toes. Gently pull the towel toward you while holding your knee straight. Hold for 30 seconds, and then relax. Repeat the exercise 4 times.

While sat on the edge of the bed, wrap a rubber band reasonably tightly around your toes. Try to stretch your toes as wide as possible. Repeat this ten times.

Place pencils or pens on the floor, and try to pick them using only your toes. Ensure that your heel remains planted on the floor. You can use coins or other small items. The key is to get the muscles and the plantar fascia moving and stretching.

Night Splints

Different treatments have different levels of success for different patients. Choosing plantar fasciitis shoes will be enough to completely alleviate the pain for some, while others may rely on anti-inflammatory tablets. Night splints have been proven to be very effective in a lot of patients. However, some people do complain that they are cumbersome and prevent them from sleeping properly.

The splints should be worn every night, and they work by applying a small amount of pressure to the tendons over the space of the night. The foot and leg are kept in a beneficial position, and the blood is not prevented from flowing, as it normally is when you lay down asleep all night.

Proper Footwear & Inserts

Whatever methods you use to combat morning foot pain, you should ensure that you buy appropriate footwear. Poor quality footwear is one of the leading causes of foot complaints. You don’t have to buy expensive shoes, but if you suffer from plantar fasciitis, there are shoes available that provide arch support, and offer the appropriate level of cushioning for your feet. There are walking shoes and running shoes, dress shoes and work shoes. Determine your shoe size, and whether you have narrow or wide feet, and then check out our guide to the best plantar fasciitis shoes to find those that best match your requirements.

Morning foot pain can ruin your day before it’s even started. Possible causes include injury or over-use, while plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. Buy the right shoes, add inserts, wear night splints, and perform morning stretches and exercises to help alleviate the morning suffering

Related Posts

Affiliate Disclaimer

ShoeWow.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.